Police Department
CPA (Citizen's Police Academy)
Upcoming Event
The Bentonville Citizen's Police Academy was established in 1999; since the
start, about 300 citizens have graduated from the class.
The Academy is a ten-week program designed to give the public a
working knowledge of the Bentonville Police Department. Each session consists of
ten consecutive Tuesday night classes held at City of Bentonville facilities.
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age to participate in the Academy.
The instruction is comprehensive and each week separate areas of the department
are covered.
K-9, Cadet Training, Bomb Squad, S.R.T., C.I.D, Forensics and Recruiting are
examples of some of the topics that are covered.
Instruction consists of
lectures, demonstrations, tours, and riding with a police officer on a shift.
The slogan of the Citizen’s Police Academy is “Understanding through Education”. The goal is to provide information to the public to dispel misconceptions and to
increase the rapport between citizens and police officers.
We hope the graduates of the Citizen’s Police Academy become more aware and better
informed about how the Police Department operates, and will recommend to their
friends, coworkers and families to join the Bentonville Police Department in
this rewarding program.
To enroll in a class you must print, complete, and submit an application to the Bentonville Police
Department: 908 Southeast 14th Street, Bentonville, AR 72712. You may also fax
a completed
application to 479-271-3187, or email Officer
Guary Morgan.
Download Application
If you do not have printing capabilities, you may pick up an application
at Bentonville PD. Should you have any questions pertaining to enrollment or Academy scheduling
dates please contact Guary
Morgan at 479-271-5986.
***Watch this page, as well as the Home page, under City Events, for upcoming
and/or scheduled Academy dates.***
Frequently Asked Questions
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Academy Introduction/Overview.
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The Bentonville Police Department has had the privilege of inviting the community it serves into the police
department to become familiar with the growth and extent of our police services. With the additions of the
Evidence Building, K-9 Units, and Special Response Team, we have felt it very important to present our services
in the form of a 'Citizen's Police Academy'.
The main goals of the academy are to partner with the community, explain the operations of the police department,
and encourage citizens to undertake measures to prevent themselves from becoming crime victims. Academy
participants gain an understanding of police procedures that are more reflective of everyday police work than what
is portrayed by the media. They also learn how they can help to make their community crime-free. Participants
become sources for new ideas as we learn from them in the process of teaching.
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Hands on knowledge. Officer Boyle shares radar knowledge.
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In addition to new ideas, our Citizen's Police Academy also provides an avenue for our officers to learn about
the concerns of community members. It encourages police interaction with the public, and provides a measure of
accountability to the community.
The academy is presented in a three hour a week, ten week program. The format includes just some of the following:
911 Communications, Patrol Functions, Domestic Violence, K-9 Units, Firearms, Special Response Team, School Resource
Officer,
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Officer Morgan assisting with firearms training.
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Narcotic Operations, Juvenile Division, Benton County Prosecutor's Office, Crime Scene Investigations
presentations as well as a tour of the Benton County Jail.
Citizens get to ride with patrol officers for one four hour block and there is a Firearms Range Day.
The academy concludes with a graduation ceremony celebrating the accomplishments of the students. The police
department has facilitated four 'Citizen's Police Academies' and graduated 110 citizens.
Participants of the program continue to stay active even after classes are complete. The Alumni Association meets
quarterly for continuing education on law enforcement issues as well as volunteering at community events such as
Neighborhood Watch, Wal-Mart Risk Management Car and Motorcycle Show which benefits the Bentonville Police/Fire
Departments, 4th of July Festival, Benton County Fair CPA Recruitment Booth, and Christmas Officer Appreciation.
Alumni members can be identified by the volunteer shirts provided by the department. They are able to share with
other community members their knowledge of law enforcement practices and policies. The benefits of such a
partnership can only help strengthen the entire community in terms of public safety and quality of life.
Click here to view more Academy photos
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